Serum enzyme activity in prematurity and in haemolytic disease of the newborn.

In a concurrent study of the serum activity of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase (GO-T), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GP-T), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in normal newborn infants ranges of normal values for these enzymes have been defined (King and Morris, 1961). In the present report the activity of these enzymes in relation to neonatal jaundice and in prematurity and haemolytic disease due to rhesus and ABO incompatibility is investigated. This work was undertaken in an attempt to elucidate the factors in the different types of jaundice and to see what help these estimations might afford in the practical management of exchange transfusion.